Recommended for Experienced Swimmers Only
The Place
Aloha and welcome to the Pae’a Honaunau Bay/Two Step Guide to safe snorkeling! Honaunau Bay is one of the most beautiful and sacred sites in the Hawaiian Islands. It is adjacent to Pu’uhonua O Honaunau, a Place of Refuge. The two steps where swimmers enter the Bay is known to Hawaiians as Pae’a. Since access ranges from tricky to dangerous, depending on surf conditions, snorkeling here is only recommended for experienced swimmers and snorkelers. At all times, maintain 360 degrees of awareness for coral, boats, other swimmers, SCUBA and free divers, and wildlife. See below for recommendations for a safe, enjoyable swim. Kahalu'u Beach Park is recommended for beginners.
Originally a fishing village for many generations, Honaunau has become popular with tourists for its snorkeling. Sadly, this fragile place has been dramatically impacted by tourist activity. Fish, turtles and coral are declining. You can help restore this delicate ecosystem by following the guidelines here. When you enter the water, you are coming into their home. If you dive or swim after them, you may scare them, which could disrupt their feeding and mating patterns.
Protecting Two Step
We ask for your kokua (help) by observing the following guidelines. If you have questions when you arrive, please ask for guidance. Tourists teach tourists: please spread the word about how to protect this precious area.
- Allow wildlife to come to you. If you swim or dive after them, you may disturb their feeding, sleeping or mating and there will be fewer of them in the future. Do not attempt to feed them, they can feed themselves!
- Clothing is the best sunscreen. Hawaii law requires that you use only reef-safe sunscreen, https://www.hawaii.com/blog/reef-safe-sunscreen/.
- Touching the coral with flippers or your body can damage it and cut you badly. Gloves recommended. People should not be touching the coral, but sometimes it happens by accident to even the most experienced divers. If you are wearing gloves, it will reduce the chance of leaving harmful human chemicals that can hurt the reef and will protect the snorkeler from getting hurt. Some of the coral here is estimated to be 1000 years old. Always be aware of where you are in relation to other swimmers, boats, coral and wildlife.
- Please observe turtles from a respectful and legal 50 yards distance.
- Sometimes the nai’a (dolphins) come to the Bay, where they rest and mate, safe from sharks. NOAA guidelines are to stay 50 yards away from them. If you float, they will likely come closer to you as they slowly circle the Bay. Just tread water, be peaceful and stay on the surface; do not dive or swim after them. You likely will not see kohola (whales) in this small bay, but if you do, stay 100 yards away.
Guidelines for Enjoying Snorkeling
Two Step is a unique situation for snorkelers. This photo shows the two steps used for getting into and out of the water safely. This is NOT a location for beginner or inexperienced snorkelers or swimmers.
- Enter only at Pae’a, the Two Steps, at the center of the lava, for your safety and the safety of the reefs, the fish and honu (turtles), who sometimes feed in the shallows. Please do not walk across the green areas of rock; they are algae, living organisms. These areas are very slippery. Watch how the experienced swimmers enter and exit the water. Be courteous to others coming in and out; wait your turn and move as quickly as you safely can off the step. As you enter the two steps, keep your hands flat on the steps, as there may be sea urchins in the pukas (holes). Go in and out with a wave.
- Once you are in the water, turn around and orient yourself, as you will need to come out the same place! Avoid getting pushed into the “washing machine” on the Pu’uhonua side of the steps.
- Keep the aloha. Repect the aina (land) and the community who live here. Please take your litter home with you. Unless you are rescuing someone, please do not shout. If you need to talk to someone, swim or walk over to them. If you see someone you think might need help in the water, only assist with their consent.
Area Parking & Facilities
- Please respect the local community; this is their home.
- Parking impacts the local residents and is very limited on the road along the Bay and in the $5 lot. Best to park on the road just before the National Park Service entrance and walk in one block.
- Drive slowly and carefully. This is a neighborhood which increases in size by 1000% every day due to visitors/tourism. Imagine how you would like people to drive if this were your neighborhood. And note that the road is one-way with local and visiting children present.
- Facilities: The only facilities at the Bay are port-a-potties. Human urine contains ammonia and sometimes chemicals which harm sea life.
Enjoy The Wonder
Take the Island of Hawai’i Pono Pledge:
https://www.ponopledge.com
This information has been compiled by concerned citizens from decades of observation.
Mahalo Nui Loa